Currently, I teach 2nd and 3rd grade music, as well as TK, Kindergarten and 1st grade Library classes at Laurel Hall. In addition, I schedule and plan elementary and all-school chapels as well as lead the 4th and 5th grade Praise Teams. After a childhood filled with music, I graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis with a degree in Music Education and Music Performance with majors in Piano, Violin and Voice. While waiting for my first teaching job, I supported myself acting at a summer stock theatre. That acting job lead to another and another and, before I knew it, I had spent 25 years acting in theater and television in New York and Los Angeles. My husband and I became members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and, when they lost their Choir Director, I offered my services as the interim director. Through this temporary position, I was convinced me to revive the Handbell program at school. When I became the full-time Music Minister at Emmanuel, I was then convinced to also teach elementary. I have continued my music education with many Orff classes and workshops. The Orff perspective of teaching music is to learn musical concepts by doing, and I do so enjoy seeing my students busily playing their xylophones, percussion instruments and recorders as they learn!